Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Frederick Henry Ruch was born in May of 1895 in the town of Norwood, South Australia. He was born to his mother, Sarah Adelaide Ruch, and his father, Mr Henry Ruch. Frederick, at the time of his enlistment, was 19 years and 10 months, not married and worked as a hairdresser. Through a letter sent by his father in 1915 to the AIF permitting Frederick to join the army and newspaper clippings from the time, it is clear that Mr Henry Ruch owned at a hair salon named “Ladies and Gentlemen Toilet Rooms – Artistic Hairworker”. In 1905 on April 11, Frederick's mother, Sarah Adelaide Ruch, was found dead in the ocean at Glenelg. The newspaper articles reporting on the incident do not state why Sarah had drowned. However, one may suspect that she may have committed suicide; some of the newspapers say she had been battling with several diseases and was transferred to the hospital in Glenelg. Sarah’s coat and slippers were found on the shore, which was a strong clue that pointed towards suicide. One of the newspapers says she had been examined for mental disorders but in the early 20th century mental health was not a prevalent topic, so one might believe she chose to end her own life.

On the 3rd of March 1915, Frederick Henry Ruch enlisted as a private for the 10th Infantry Battalion, 6th Reinforcements. Frederick was recorded as being 5ft 7in, weighing 122 lbs, and having a chest measurement of 31-33in. He was described as having a fair complexion, brown hair and eyes and 3 vaccination marks on his left arm. After Frederick enlisted, he was sent to a training camp where he was trained. On the 23rd June 1915, he embarked from Adelaide aboard the H.M.A.T Borda and headed for Dardanelles. Frederick arrived on the 31st of July 1915; soon after, he was taken on strength from the 6th reinforcements to the 11th Battalion.

On the 27th of March 1916, Frederick proceeded to join the British Expeditionary Force where he embarked for Marseilles, arriving on the 3rd of April 1916. Presumably, he fought in the battle of Somme. He was admitted to hospital sick on the 17th of November 1916 and rejoined his unit on the 12th December. In January 1918 he was granted leave returning to his unit 31st of January 1918. Frederick returned to Australia aboard the H.T. Suffolk, on which he embarked on the 12th of April 1919.

Not much could be discovered about Fredericks's life after the war; however, through newspaper clippings, it was discovered that on the 14th of January 1931, he married one Charlotte Adelaide Couch. Henry Ruch, Frederick’s father, died on September 7th, 1946, at age 78; Frederick is mentioned when the newspaper states Henry was a “loving father of Fred”. Through a form sent by Charlotte requesting the Gallipoli Medallion, it is clear that Frederick died at some point before July 14th, 1967, and after the 7th of September 1946.